Yep, needs context.

The context is easy enough to work out for those who choose to do so imo.
I.e. WHAT advantages, note ADVANTAGES, did RELIGION GIVE/provide/ give to people in the PRE- Industrial Revolution Societies. Think about it @skado, THINK about it.

My guess is most if not all pre industrial societies had religious based ideologies. After all, there wasn’t much science going on then….

@Buck Exactly correct. So there would be no advantage between groups. The advantage would have been between having a belief system that facilitated cooperation and not having one. The funny thing is today it is those belief systems that are seeding rebellion against cooperation for mutual benefit.

What was its usefulness?

@creative51 It served a very useful purpose before science and logic took root….

@skado to bring people together and make the tribe stronger

@skado, @Buck Exactly

@creative51 If only you stating that something is bullshit made it so.

@NoSheep
No need to bring people together now?
We are now all of one mind?

Religion was created to control the ignorant masses. It gave us government and all that goes with it both good and bad.

Those that conform always had an advantage. But it was Those that had independent thought that carried humanity forward and created progress.

Chaos - without organisation provided by religious power and authority to curtail the actions of the working classes, then society (so far) remains in what we sociologists call 'mechanical'. Once a society expands into 'organic' it requires specialisation of labour as on one person can make everything they need.
Religion provides both power and authority for the upper classes to control the masses via rules from an even more powerful entity. This includes what is taught to the young so they become conditioned into not questioning the power of the gods.
Right now, science has given thinkers more power to question the gods and answer many of the questions of the universe allowing us to grow without a blind understanding of random sky faeries lies.

who woke you up? somebody mention advantage and disadvantage?

@holdenc98 You still smelling your crotch for insights on the world?

@Sofabeast "Religion provides both power and authority for the upper classes to control the masses via rules from an even more powerful entity."

That part there? I think it's bullshit. The fact that there are "powers that be" demonstrates that organization already existed. Religion did nothing except take the organizational predisposition of humanity into dark alley and abused it. I can think of nothing that religion has done for humanity and I don't see an 'advantage' in any gods. As far as chaos, religion does nothing IMO, to resolve it at all.

@redbai I suggest you explore the many, many references in sociology and psychology into the matter. Religion is a key pillar of society and part of our sociolisation bridging both primary and secondary stages.
From where does religion come from, that is an interesting question. There are a few small groups of humans which do not have gods to worship, but most societies over the past 8000+ years have them.
Going back to the question. 'Did religion give an advantage to pre-industrial revolution societies?' Then yes, as religion provides both power and authority for the upper classes to control the masses from an even more entity.
You may find it bullshit, but I'm still right. It is a key part of learning social sciences providing cross-over from psychology to sociology.
I'm going to be away for a few days, but I would be happy to explain in greater depth if you'd like to read.

@Sofabeast Oh, you're right? Didn't know that your response was not to be questioned?

"Religion is a key pillar of society and part of our sociolisation bridging both primary and secondary stages."

If you take one leg off a chair and substitute it with a stick embedded into the ground, the chair is no longer moveable, but it is still operable and the stick is a "key pillar" in the functionality of that chair. Doesn't mean something more suited to the task could not have achieved better results. I"m still waiting for a definition of the "advantages" besides the assumption that mankind would spiral out of control without the assumed stabilizing forces of religion.

Religions rationalized and facilitated slavery. Who knows where mankind would be if that wasn't something justified by the "powers that be" with an all powerful god? You are simply assuming that humanity has done something special by being where it is in the pursuit of civilization without demonstrating it.

That is true, but the individual is not important. Religion can claim to be shepherding the masses and punishing those few who fail the gods.
Religion is very subjective on who is good and bad.

@Garban my pleasure.

Impeded, but during prehistoric times, it brought people together into cultures, which can be argued to be an advantage for survival.

@NoSheep Pre-historic implies no writing. I am reminded of the oral traditions of some American Indian tribes, and also those in ancient Greece that traveled about singing elaborate and mellifluous poetic songs of their history.

@Garban !!! Actually, as you see, I got zapped for not paying attention to your limit designating pre-industrial revolution. But furthermore, I would draw your attention to the role of religion in the 'Dark Ages'. Religion's hostility to knowledge and innovation are well known. If those are the criteria, even before the IR, religion's role is negative. See also Galileo.

And the have nots are constantly sacrificing to keep the haves in the lap of luxury.